Cook County Sustanibility

May is Asthma Awareness Month

laura.oakleaf — Sat, 11 May 2013 02:59:19 +0000

Asthma is a national epidemic, affecting nearly 26 million people, including seven million children and disproportionally affecting low income and minority communities. As a part of Asthma Awareness Month, the Cook County Department of Environmental Control wants to encourage all County residents to do their part to reduce air pollution. Everyone benefits from cleaner air, but its particularly important for those with Asthma who are among the most vulnerable from exposure to environmental toxins such as air pollution. You can learn more about how you can decrease air pollution from Partners for Clean Air .

Cook County residents that are sensitive to air pollution are encouraged to check the Illinois EPA’s Air Quality Index each day. Air quality monitoring is one of the key functions of the Department of Environmental Control. Monitoring sites are set up throughout the County and our laboratory in Maywood analyzes the samples from these monitors to contribute data to the Illinois Air Monitoring System.

For more information about Asthma, visit the American Lung Association.

Thank You to Earth Day Event Volunteers

laura.oakleaf — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 21:36:55 +0000

Bryant Williams from the Cook County Department of Environmental Control introduces President Preckwinkle while Forest Preserve District Superintendent Arnold Randall looks on at the Whistler Woods Clean-up event.

President Preckwinkle greets volunteers at the Whistler Woods Clean-up event.

Photographs courtesy of the National Park Service

Thank you to all of the volunteers and staff who partnered with the Department of Environmental Control to make the 2013 Earth Day clean-up events a success:

Friends of the Park

Forest Preserve District of Cook County

Blue Island Bike Club

National Park Service

Major Taylor Bike Club

Southeast Environmental Task Force

Chicago Park District

E-Scrap Technologies

Cook County Sheriff’s Department

Earth Week Events – Cook County Providing Electronic Recylcing and Prescription Drug Take-Backs at Earth Day Celebrations

laura.oakleaf — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 16:31:39 +0000

In recognition of Earth Day the Cook County Department of Environmental Control is participating in several events this month that will include electronics recycling and prescription drug take-back opportunities.

For more information or to learn about other pharmaceutical disposal opportunities, call the Environmental Control Department at 312-603-8200.

April 17, from 9am-3pm South Suburban College Earth Awareness Day South Suburban College 15800 S. State St., South Holland, IL
Prescription Drug Take-Back Event www.southsuburbancollege.edu/en_US/News_Events_Information/Calendar/event.asp?eID=5144.

April 20, from 9am to 12pm Busse Woods, Grove 24
Elk Grove Village , IL
Electronics Recycling, Prescription Drug Take-Back, Forest Preserve Clean-Up
www.earthdaychicago.com/events/earthday-reg.aspx

April 20, from 9am to 12pm Friends of the Parks Earth Day/Parks & Preserves Clean-up
Whistler Woods
134th St. and Halsted, Riverdale, IL
Electronics Recycling, Bike Repair, Scavenger Hunt, Ceremony with President Toni Preckwinkle

April 20, from 10am to 2pm
Oak Park Earth Fest
Oak Park Public Works Center
201 S. Blvd, Oak Park, IL
Hands on Activities focusing on zero-waste and Prescription Drug Take-Back Event
www.oak-park.us/earthfest/

April 20 from 9am to 2pm
Earth Day Festival
Village Green, Northbrook, IL
Many activities, including Radon Awareness and Test Kit Ordering

May 4 from 9am to 1pm
Community Recycling Event
Triton College
2000 Fifth Ave, River Grove, IL
Electronics Recycling and Prescription Drug Take Back, Clothes/Shoes Recycling www.triton.edu/NewsAndEvents_detail.aspx?id+18731

***IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THE PHARMACEUTICAL TAKE-BACK EVENTS***

For the April 17^th event at South Suburban College and the April 20^th event at Oak Park the following are NOT allowed: controlled substances and infectious medical waste (needles). Inhalers and mercury thermometers WILL be accepted.

For the April 20^th Busse Woods and the May 4^th Triton College event the following are NOT accepted: infectious medical waste, aerosols, liquids or thermometers.

Join President Preckwinkle and the Cook County Department of Environmental Control for an Earth Day Celebration at Whistler Woods on April 20, 9am-1pm

laura.oakleaf — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 14:38:24 +0000

Green Halo Neatly Tracks Recycling of Demolition Debris

laura.oakleaf — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 20:56:00 +0000

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced today that an online software system called Green Halo has helped contractors recycle thousands of tons of construction debris and stay in compliance with the County’s new Demolition Debris Diversion ordinance. The ecofriendly ordinance requires contractors in suburban and unincorporated Cook County to recycle 70 percent of their debris for most demolition projects and divert 5 percent from residential waste for reuse.

The County has made the Green Halo system available to contractors for free to simplify the way they track waste and recycling from demolition and construction projects. It also helps ensure recycling requirements are met.

Since November, the software has tracked more than 25.7 thousand tons of demolition waste that has been recycled or reused. It also locates the nearest recycling facilities, uploads recycling drop-off tickets and submits reports directly to the County. Contract administrator Tracy Alvord of Brandenburg Industrial Service Company said Green Halo system is “easy to follow” and can find nearby recycling facilities that accept hard-to-recycle materials such as carpeting.

“I’m proud Cook County is the first local government in the Midwest to use this business-friendly reporting system,” President Preckwinkle said. “We are saving time and money for contractors by switching to an electronic reporting system that’s easy and efficient.”

Since November, approximately 62 contractors have used Green Halo to enter a waste diversion plan, which takes an average of only five to ten minutes to input.

“Green Halo has eliminated hundreds of pounds of paper previously used by contractors and the County, saving money, trees, energy and time,” said Deborah Stone, director of the Cook County Department of Environmental Control. “And the easy access to reports means we are accountable for making sure there are real environmental benefits from our programs.”

Saturday is Earth Hour: Post a Pic to our Facebook Page and Tell Us What You’ll Do to Save the Earth

deborah.stone — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 03:39:38 +0000

Earth Hour is this Saturday night from 8:30 to 9:30.

Cook County is one of 7,000 to municipalities of all sizes to become official participants, and is the largest mass participation event on the planet. During Earth Hour, Cook County Government will join millions of people around the globe who will turn their lights off for 1 hour. In our case, we will power down the 35-story George Dunne Administration Building at 69 W Washington. For us, embracing sustainability has resulted in shrinking carbon footprint for county government; as well as hundreds of thousands of dollars saved on electricity, gas, water and building materials.

Tell the World What You’ll Do to Save the Earth

Join us during Earth Hour, and demonstrate your willingness to protect the Earth. Take a picture of yourself in your darkened home and post it to our Facebook page with what you’ll do to help save the Earth.

Give up air conditioning for a month to save fossil fuel emissions?
Stop using plastic bags for a week?
Take cold showers to lower your power consumption?
Plant 100 trees?

Demolition Debris and Diversion Training Sessions

laura.oakleaf — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 21:51:27 +0000

Ortiz Brothers Deconstruction Project underway in Glencoe

The Cook County Department of Environmental Control and The Rebuilding Exchange will host six free public workshops during March to educate contractors, municipal workers and the general public about the County’s Demolition, Debris and Diversion Ordinance, which came into effect last November.

At each of the three-hour workshops, attendees will learn about:

- How to meet requirements quickly and cost-effectively

- The best materials for deconstruction and reuse

- Tools, resources and markets available to help them meet their deconstruction targets

- How to communicate about deconstruction and recycling to clients and colleagues.

- The process and market for reclaimed and recycled building materials

- The role for municipal employees in explaining and enforcing the ordinance

- Implications for local government processes and policies

There will be two types of workshops:

1. Sessions geared to municipal workers on March 13^th and 14^th

2. Sessions geared for contractors on March 20^th, 21^st, 27^th, and 28^th

The general public is welcome to attend either session. The times for each session are 8am – 11am and they will take place at The Rebuilding Exchange, 1740 W. Webster Ave, Chicago IL

For more information or for registration, please visit www.eventbrite.com/org/3269275850?s=12433766 (for municipal workers) or www.eventbrite.com/org/3269187234?s=12430218 (for contractors) contact Sean Terry at Delta Institute (sterry@delta-institute.org). Remember – this project general public is encouraged to attend either session.

Elevated radon levels found in roughly 1 in 15 homes nationwide

laura.oakleaf — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 16:06:12 +0000

January is Radon Awareness Month

The Cook County Radon Awareness Program is encouraging residents of Cook County to test their home for radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can seep into a house through cracks in the basement floor and walls, around the openings of the sump pump or through crawl spaces. However, it is easy to test for and to fix your home. With people spending more time indoors due to the cold weather now is the ideal time to test.

“Testing for radon is one of the easiest and smartest things people can do to protect their homes and families from this serious health risk,” said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. “Addressing high radon levels greatly reduces exposure to the second leading cause of lung cancer.”

Radon occurs naturally from the decay of uranium in the soil and can accumulate to dangerous levels inside the home. Elevated levels of the colorless, odorless gas are the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.

Elevated levels of this health hazard in homes, schools, workplaces, and other buildings can be prevented through these simple steps:

Test: All buildings with or without basements should be tested for radon. Testing kits can be obtained for only $7 by calling the Cook County Department of Environmental Control at 708-865-6177. Leave your name, address and phone number. Affordable Do-It-Yourself radon test kits are also available online and at home improvement and hardware stores, or a qualified radon tester can be hired.

Fix: EPA recommends taking action to fix radon levels at or above 4 picoCuries per Liter (pCi/L) and contacting a qualified radon-reduction contractor.

Save a Life: 21,000 Americans die from radon related lung cancer each year, but by addressing elevated levels, you can help prevent lung cancer while creating a healthier home and community.

Additional information can be found here:

Radon Information Flier Radon Flier 2013

Radon Citizen’s Guide Radon -Citizen Guide

Chicago Region is Named A Leader In Sustainable Transportation g

laura.oakleaf — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 18:16:26 +0000

photo: Chicago Bicycle Program

Environmental award is shared among Cook County, Will County, City of Chicago, City of Evanston and Village of Oak Park

December 7, 2012

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced today that the Chicago region has been named a 2012 Metro-Scale Sustainable Community Leader by the Institute for Sustainable Communities. The award recognizes Chicagoland’s ongoing leadership in sustainable transportation. Cook County and Chicago share the honor with Will County, the City of Evanston and the Village of Oak Park.

President Preckwinkle spoke at a regional transportation workshop sponsored by the institute at the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning on December 5. The workshop, titled “Collaborating for Sustainable Transportation in Chicagoland,” was hosted by the County, Chicago and its award partners.

“Cook County has taken an active role in bringing together the suburbs, the city and other counties to collectively find better sustainable transportation solutions,” President Preckwinkle said in her speech. “As part of our objective to work collaboratively, we have expanded the focus of the county’s Department of Transportation and Highways to undertake regional strategic planning and attract new financing opportunities. Our recent decision to invest county resources to rebuild a truck route along Harvey’s industrial park is a good example of strategic transportation planning that will potentially generate thousands of jobs and promote economic growth in the entire south suburban region.”

“Increasing sustainability throughout Chicago can create dramatic economic opportunity throughout our neighborhoods and improve the overall quality of life for residents,” Mayor Rahm Emanuel said. “From making transformative investments in the CTA to offering residents and businesses the densest network of electric vehicle charging stations in any city to installing hundreds of miles of bike lanes, we will continue to look for ways to make Chicago more sustainable, helping to create jobs and improve quality of life in the city.”

The goal of the Metro-Scale Sustainable Communities Leadership Academy is to advance regional collaboration on environmental issues by bringing together local governments, nonprofits, expert speakers, and sharing the success stories of environmentally friendly regions and communities. The Chicagoland region’s accomplishments will be the subject of ISC’s next report, to be used as a model for cities and suburbs across the United States.

President Preckwinkle said Cook County received the honor because of its ongoing regional collaboration and effectively pursuing “twin goals” of sustainability and economic growth.

“One of our economic development objectives is to create more jobs in southern Cook County within walking distance of public transportation so that we lower the cost of getting to work,” she said. “We are also revising our tax incentives to make sure that county residents with the necessary skills are connected to newly created jobs at firms receiving tax breaks.”

Through the Bureau of Economic Development, the County is working to remove obstacles to the redevelopment of infill sites in south and west Cook that foster stronger public transit or cargo-oriented economic development. Meanwhile, the county departments of Planning and Development and Environmental Control are pursuing brownfield remediation grants in an effort to remove a key barrier to redevelopment.

Among the leaders who participated in the academy’s discussions on ways to expand sustainable transportation were: Herman Brewer, chief of the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development; Deborah Stone, director of the Cook County Department of Environmental Control; Karen Weigert, Chief Sustainability Officer, City of Chicago Mayor’s Office; Randy Blankenhorn, Executive Director, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning; Scott Bernstein, President and Co-Founder, Center for Neighborhood Technology; and Ron Burke, Executive Director, Active Transportation Alliance.

Food Scrap Collection in the Chicago Region

laura.oakleaf — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 21:35:50 +0000

photo: jbloom

Cook County was proud to help organize the 2012 Green Town Pre-conference meeting on Advancing Commercial Food Scrap Collection in the Chicago Region. There were over 100 haulers, commercial scrap producers, county and municipal employees, advocates and compost facility operators in attendance. You can learn more about this successful meeting from one of the conference speakers in the latest issue of BioCycle.